Chapter 88: Chapter 2, Episode 13
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
Then it was just a matter of time before I departed from the royal capital of Gran Kingdom as the special goodwill ambassador.
The carriage shook with a clank and a crank. The carriage is covered with cushions to withstand long journeys, but every rocking jolt is a pain in the lower back and buttocks.
This carriage is a luxury item for high-ranking nobles. Even so, the mere thought of a commoner’s carriage makes one’s blood run cold.
「Hold on, are you alright, Miss?」
Countess Cierlify Bauer, sitting in front of me, peeked at me. The reason why she is riding with me in the carriage to Quanda is because I recruited her as a lady-in-waiting to go with me as the special goodwill ambassador.
「We’ve only been gone a short time and you already look like you’re about to die.」
「…I’m fine, thank you for the concern.」
I was about to throw up, and she handed me a handkerchief, but the sweet scent of the perfume that was soaking into the handkerchief made me feel even more nauseous. Countess Bauer showed no sign of being offended as I gently pushed her back. I realized that first impressions really can’t be relied upon, even though my impression of her not long ago was that she was a tantrum child who couldn’t even hide her grumpiness.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the worry in her eyes, even though her facial expression was not so friendly.
「If you have enough energy to laugh, you’ll be fine.」
In a relieved mood, Countess Bauer put away the handkerchief I had pushed back. She then filled my cup with water from a canteen provided in the carriage. It has a special lid over it to prevent spills, and even a straw stuck in it to make sure it’s safe to drink.
「This is?」
I had never seen a cup with such specifications and I was astonished.
「I ordered it to be made. Traveling by carriage is hard work. Wouldn’t you like to spend a little time in comfort?」
She said it like it’s nothing, but a cup that doesn’t spill even inside a carriage is too revolutionary!
「It’s amazing.」
So it was a hearty compliment. But Countess Bauer raised one eyebrow and looked doubtful,
「It’s you who’s amazing.」
She said so. Then Countess Bauer choked on her words and a moment of silence passed between us.
I wanted to ask her what was so great about me, but I couldn’t stop feeling nauseous. I sipped the water that Countess Bauer had brewed for me and realized with a start that I was going to be sick.
「This is peppermint, I wonder?」
The water smells faintly of peppermint and refreshes my mouth.
「T–That’s right. I heard it was good for getting drunk and I was ready. I didn’t think you could get drunk, but…」
「I never thought I would get drunk either. I’ve been on horse-drawn carriages before, but never like this.」
When I went to Quanda Kingdom when I studied abroad, and when I came to Gran Kingdom from Gracis territory, I didn’t get drunk at all.
「The years, I wonder…」
I gulped. I felt depressed even though I said it myself. The 16-year-old in front of me was being rocked by the same carriage, but she didn’t seem to be drunk at all. “She was so energetic and full of energy at that time that she was like an enemy in the face,” I cried.
「Don’t be stupid. Age has nothing to do with it.」
「Is, that so?」
It may be comforting, but I’m 25 years old to cling to. I am sorry for being pathetic.
「That’s right. You are just tired. You should at least take care of yourself, you have dark circles around your eyes. You’re the capable and the esteemed lady-in-waiting, aren’t you!?」
I don’t know whether I was consoled or scolded by her words. But it was so like Countess Bauer that I even felt a sense of dependability.
「Fufu, that’s true. I’m glad you’re such a reliable lady-in-waiting.」
「…urk.」
I praised her honestly again, but Countess Bauer was still silent. I smiled while holding back the nausea that was getting worse.
「I’m so happy that Countess Bauer is my lady-in-waiting.」
Normally, I would’ve been kicked out of the nomination for Countess Bauer, whose family rank is higher than mine as a viscountess. But she nodded her head. So I truly believe that from the bottom of my heart.
「…………About me, uhh… thank you.」
Countess Bauer, with a bright red face, sloppily thanks me.
「Oh, that I nominated you as my lady-in-waiting? I felt that Countess Bauer had that much power, and this is the result of your hard work. You don’t need to thank me for that.」
It was shortly after the incident that I heard that Countess Bauer had changed her course of study at the academy from the ladies’ course, which was meant to train her to be a bride, to the court lady course, which is rarely chosen by Gran Kingdom’s ladies.
I knew Countess Bauer was a smart girl from the conversations we had while we were captured, and I liked her guts in a crisis situation. So when I heard that she changed her course to the court lady course, I decided that I would definitely get her. I recognized Countess Bower to the extent that I thought her past as a friend of the Royal Princess.
「I don’t mean that…」
「?」
I blinked at Countess Bower who said, “That’s not all.” I see no other reason to thank me.
「On the Tea Party, uhh, so…」
「Ahh, you mean with Miss Amy!」
I was convinced of the meaning of the thank-you when I remembered the incident in which I followed up on Countess Bauer’s rebuke of Miss Amy, who had used lilies as a hair ornament.
「That is to your credit. I had a problem with the way I said it, but if Miss Amy had stayed at the table, there would have been more trouble than there was. And it was Countess Bower who finally put an end to Countess Gordon.」
I can’t say I’m a big fan of that moment, but it was very exhilarating to remember. The reality hit Countess Gordon, who performed her flower garden theatrics at a tea party hosted by the Queen. It wasn’t something I would think of for a lady nearly a year younger than me, but I thought, “Suck it up,” with all my heart. I thought to myself, “She should know her place.”
「I can’t say it too loud, but kudos to you.」
“Fufu,” I said, a mischievous giggle escaping my mouth.
「That’s good to know. But I didn’t mean to…」
Oh, there’s more, apparently. This time, I really had no idea.
「Viscountess Agatha… I mean, Miss Amy wrote to thank me after the Tea Party. You must have said something to her, aren’t you?」
「Well…!」
That’s a surprise.
「I’m aware that I’m not saying it right. I always think I’m saying the right thing, but then I make her cry.」
I am sure Tsundere-san has a lot of hardships. It would be totally different if I could step in just a little bit and understand her personality, but perhaps it is too much to ask young ladies to understand me.
「So when I got your letter, I was really surprised… but, uhh… that made me happy.」
As Countess Bauer said this to me, with tears welling up in her eyes, I felt a slight warmth in my heart.
「Then Miss Amy and I started exchanging sentences and we became friends. I owe that to you, uhh… thank you.」
Miss Cierlify sounded almost faded, but somewhat happy.
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